There’s nothing quite like the taste of juicy, fresh fruit. Of course, when you find your favourite fruit at the best price or you receive a lavish fruit hamper, you might be concerned about the shelf life. Fruit doesn’t always last as long as we would like and some types of fruit spoil faster than others. Here are some great ways of making you fruit last longer.
Canning
Canning can be performed in one of two ways. You can use pressure canning or a hot water bath. No matter the method you choose, you need to make sure that your jars and the lids are completely sterilised before you begin. It’s also important to only use jars that are suitable for this kind of preservation process. The hot water bath method is best for acidic fruits, marmalades, jellies, and jams.
Freezing
Another great option is to preserve your fruit by freezing it in batches. Frozen fruit can be used in smoothies, cakes, and various baked goods. When you freeze your fruit, make sure that you wash, core, and peel them first. You want them to be ready for use so plan how you intend on using them as you clean and chop. Place in durable freezer bags, label and freeze immediately. Vacuum packing can also help preserve the flavour and quality of your fruit while reducing the amount of space that they occupy.
Dehydration
Dehydrating can be done in a number of ways. You can buy a fruit dehydrator, use your microwave, oven, or allow them to dry naturally on a wire rack. If you like, you can puree your fruit and make delicious fruit leathers too.
By preserving your fruit while it’s fresh, you can enjoy it even when it’s not in season. Of course, it should go without saying that each fruit needs to be properly checked. It needs to be ripe and free of any nasty bugs. All fruit needs to be properly washed to get rid of any pesticides and dirt.